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Chapter 3 - Part 4

Hours passed, during which time the Lord of Zalesia used magic to forge the bargaining chip he would use in exchange for his daughter. When he was done, King Hsss and his personal bodyguards, General Rattlor and Sergeant Tung Lashor, escorted the man to one of Mount Barathrum’s nearby peaks.

From this vantage point, they could see the lights of Reptillion, the large Snake city protected by Snake Mountain’s looming might. Encrusted in stone, meant to be forever coiled in an unbreakable prison around the mountain, were the trapped remains of Serpos. A giant snake, with three heads, it wrapped hideously all the way around the mountain’s base to its peak; deadly magma poured from the three gaping mouths.

The fallen Councilman could not help but be dumbstruck by the fact that the Snake Men chose to build their capital city on the barren side of Snake Mountain, while on the eastern side foliage was lush and dense. Such thoughts were suddenly lost to him, though, when he saw the cloaked figure standing in the shadows apart from the others.

Could that be the same creature Eldor spoke of? The one who stole the book?

“Do you have it?” Hsss demanded, bring things to the point.

The Lord of Zalesia lost interest in the cloaked being, and searched amongst the Snake Men for Lyn. “Yes, I have it. Where is my daughter?”

The ruler of the Snake Men hissed loudly. “First, give me the amulet. Only then will I return your s-s-squalling child.”

“Very well,” the other acquiesced, producing from his robes a golden object shaped like a cobra’s head. “Now, where is she?”

“Not yet.”

“You gave me your word!” Lyn’s father yelled, placing a threatening hand on King Hsss’ “shoulder”.

“And I will honor it,” he responded, slithering away. “But not until I’m certain this trinket is more than a worthless toy.” Hsss felt the power of the amulet surging as he lifted it towards the dark heavens, and he gave a triumphant hiss.

“Great god Serpos!” he called. “The time has come to return to your people! I command you to rise!”

With a thunderous explosion, the three-headed serpent that had hugged Snake Mountain for ages sprang to life, shaking off its cragged shackles! Serpos stretched its massive green form, and began to unravel itself from the prison.

Over the din, the Lord of Zalesia was shouting and waving his fist at Hsss. “The amulet works, just as I told you it would. Now return my child!”

The king’s yellow eyes narrowed into tiny slits. “I think not, Lord of Zalesia. Your skills have proven of use, but your superior attitude offends me greatly. I believe I will hold on to your daughter for a while longer yet. At least until you have learned better—”

The screams of Snake men, women, and children suddenly filled the air! Spinning around, King Hsss’ cold heart sank as he watched Serpos rain jets of fire upon Reptillion. Despite their begging, Hsss’ people were fodder for the so-called “god” they had long worshiped.

“No!” Hsss shouted in horror, as a cold laugh erupted from the man behind the Medallion of Serpos. “You did this!” Hsss screamed, summoning his scepter and turning to face the human once more.

“Your god is awake, Snake Man, but he doesn’t seem very happy with you.”

King Hsss fired a powerful green blast of magic at the Lord of Zalesia, but it was easily redirected to the stony ground. “That won’t help you,” he said. “The amulet roused Serpos from his long slumber, as I promised. But it does not control him. And without my help…it never will.”

As the two continued their bickering, Shokoti watched with mounting interest. It seems as if that old fool is more clever and devious than I ever gave him credit for! she mused.

“…Only then will I give you the power to control Serpos,” the Lord of Zalesia was saying. Furiously, Hsss once more summoned the terrified infant. “It’s okay, little one,” Lyn’s father promised as he caught her.

“Now give me the power to control Serpos, or she dies in your arms, human!”

Before vanishing in a thick cloud of dark smoke, the Lord of Zalesia reluctantly followed through on his end of the bargain. Using his ram-headed staff he unlocked the amulet’s full potential.

“Excellent!” Shokoti raved, her voice masked.

“It’s working!” Hsss added wickedly, as the mammoth form of Serpos came nearer to the rocky ledge where they stood. He turned to Shokoti, and she could see the look of fury in his eyes. “Allow me to s-s-strike at Zalesia first! He must pay for the destruction of my city!”

“In time, Hsss, Zalesia will fall. But, there are other kingdoms along the way that must also fall—Silence!” she commanded suddenly. “We’re no longer alone!”

With Hsss focused again on his new pet, Shokoti whirled about, striking at the returned form of Zalesia’s lord. Lightening arced downwards from the clouds, striking the jagged sword he held and knocking him to the ground.

“It is not yet time for the next chapter in your destiny.” Those words, spoken in the disguised voice Shokoti had adopted, were the last things the Lord of Zalesia was aware of before everything went from bleary to black, and he found himself crumpled on the floor of his daughter’s nursery.

grats and guesses

Its storyline seems to refer to the comic series that told the story of the first awakening of Serpos during the time of the ancients.

But you gave an interesting twist to the story by making Shokoti the masked person whereas the comic hints towards Skeletor or maybe Scare Glow but this secret is never revealed...

I really like how Shokoti holds the strings in the background like Senator Palpatine when he was still considered on the "good" side in the course of the first two new Star Wars Movies....

The pictures are amazing again....you have me in awe. I am curious whether evildoers like Count Marzo or Evilseed will have their appearance in your story as well or whether you keep the story based on the main evil characters like King Hiss etc. and Hordak....

Chapter 3 - Part 5

Its storyline seems to refer to the comic series that told the story of the first awakening of Serpos during the time of the ancients.

But you gave an interesting twist to the story by making Shokoti the masked person whereas the comic hints towards Skeletor or maybe Scare Glow but this secret is never revealed...

I really like how Shokoti holds the strings in the background like Senator Palpatine when he was still considered on the "good" side in the course of the first two new Star Wars Movies....

The pictures are amazing again....you have me in awe. I am curious whether evildoers like Count Marzo or Evilseed will have their appearance in your story as well or whether you keep the story based on the main evil characters like King Hiss etc. and Hordak....

But I will probably see soon

Keep up the great work

Thank you for your continued comments and interest, Monstarmaster--keep 'em coming!

I remember when the comic out and there were loads of people theorizing about the identity of the hooded figure. I felt from Day 1 that it was Shokoti--look at the slender build, the lack of facial hair, the length of the figure's nails, and the guantlets. Sure, it's all circumstancial, but I never cared for the notion that Keldor would "raise" his future love-interest, nor the idea of him traveling back in time. As far as the parallels with Senator Palpatine, I don't recall being cognizant of their similarities when crafting the storyline, but I am a huge Star Wars fan so I'm sure the thoughts were dancing around in my subconsciousness somewhere.

Finally, as it relates to Marzo, Evilseed and others: Marzo is covered down the line; off-hand I can't remember if I used Evilseed or not. You can expect appearances by Miro, Dekker, the Enchantress, Kodak Ungor, Fangman, and some more.

Now for the next part...

***

The scout had just finished his latest report, and the news was grim. “Should I sound the general alarm, sir?”

The Lord of Zalesia looked around the room at his war cabinet. All of their faces looked dreadfully pale; the reports had been flooded with gruesome details of the carnage Serpos had already brought to the settlements that lay between Zalesia and Snake Mountain. “If what you say is true, and Serpos will indeed be here in a matter of hours, then sound the alarm.”

The scout charged out, and soon the warning klaxons could be heard throughout the city.

“When will help arrive, sir?” one of the cabinet members asked.

“I doubt there will be any help, Commander,” he answered gravely, having already begged for help from his former friends. When they learned of his part in the affair, their joint refusal was immediate.

“They’re too busy to help us. King Grayskull and the Elders are tied-up with the Spikeans, who have launched an unexpected, all-out attack on the Speleans and Caligars in Subternia. Queen Veena is still leading the rescue and recovery operations—more recovery than anything else—in the human settlements near Koridor. He-Ro and Eldor are driving the last of the Snake Men from the Fire People’s city…or at least what’s left of it.”

“And the Council of Wisdom?”

In a soft, pained voice he confirmed what his cabinet was afraid of. “They will not rush to the aide of the man who unleashed this great terror once more.” He hurried from the room so as not to hear the disappointed and grieving words spreading amongst his people; he could not bear the thought of their disapproval being the last sounds he heard them make.

***

From the window in Lyn’s nursery, the Lord of Zalesia watched the furnace-like flames of what used to be his beautiful city’s Arts District. To the softly snoring babe in his arms he whispered, “The fires are getting closer. It won’t be long now.”

“They will be here even faster than you think.”

He spun around, jostling his daughter out of her peaceful slumber, and saw the evil mage that had summoned lightening to bring him down a few days earlier.

“Soon you will have to face Serpos in combat,” Shokoti added, her voice disguised again.

“What? Who are you? How—”

Beneath her hood, Shokoti smiled unseen. “Someone who can help you,” she answered, holding out her arms.

Pulling Lyn to him tighter, he retorted, “You work for Hsss! You have nothing to offer me.”

“Don’t be too certain, Lord of Zalesia.” Shokoti reached into the baby’s cradle. “This land will fall, and you may fall with it. But your child might yet be saved…”

“What do you mean?” All traces of hatred had melted away. Lyn—his precious, beautiful girl—was his only concern now.

Shokoti held out the swaddling cloth she had pulled from the cradle. “I will take her away to a place that even Hsss cannot reach. She will be safe…and you can face Serpos with a clear mind and an untroubled heart.”

“Why should I believe you?” he asked, looking down as Lyn’s breathing became slower with sleep once more.

“What choice do you have? She will die if you refuse…you know this.” Shokoti drew nearer, like a shadow creeps closer with the setting sun. “I will raise her as my own—protect, teach and guide her as she grows into her power. She will never come to grief at my hands, nor will I allow anyone else to harm her.”

“Why would a servant of the Snake Men help me?” He already suspected that this was in fact the one working with Prelate Horüd, so perhaps this strange figure could shed some light on the true source of these dark times. If he could unravel that mystery, then perhaps he could atone for his actions in the Council’s eyes and they would be willing to help save Zalesia!

Sensing his intent, Shokoti laughed in her mind. Fool, I am the one behind it all! Aloud, she answered, “Hsss is not my concern. I answer to a higher authority.”

Outside the nursery, the fires had reached the chateau’s gates. “There’s not much time left,” Shokoti prodded.

The Lord of Zalesia drew Lyn in tightly to his cheek, inhaling deeply the sweet, powdery smell that surrounded the child. “Take her,” he said, barely audible. His heart shattered as he placed Lyn in the stranger’s arms. She awoke once more, reaching out five tiny digits towards her father.

“There is one more thing…I also require your staff.”

“What?” This latest request stunned him. Why would anyone want what was commonly thought to be nothing more than the city’s symbol of authority? Especially when the city was about to be reduced to ashes.

Unless…

“I require one of the keys…your key.”

If it was possible, his heart would have sunk even further into his chest. “How do you know about—?“

“The staff…now! Or the deal is off!”

Reluctantly, he handed over the ancient staff, releasing the great forces it could unleash unto his daughter’s new caretaker.

Outside, a stream of fire erupted from one of Serpos’ heads, melting the tower next to the nursery. “You had better hurry,” Shokoti advised him, vanishing with both the child and staff in hand.

Shokoti placed Lyn and the staff on the stone slab that she had earlier used to study the Book of the Ancients. With a flick of her wrist the staff vanished, transported to an undetectable pocket-dimension, in which she had also hidden the Book of the Ancients.

Lyn began to wail, uncomfortable upon the slab and sensing the darkness and danger surrounding her. “Do not worry, little one,” Shokoti cooed, reclaiming her true voice. “The next time you awaken, the time will be upon you to start your training. Your father seemed willing to go to any length to protect you, so he must sense—as I do—the great power that lies dormant within. You will eventually serve as a fitting queen for my son.”

To herself, the witch thought, And with his queen indebted to me, it will be so much the easier to control my future heir in the event that he does not wish to use his great powers as I see fit.

Shokoti waved her hands back-and-forth over the child, her eyes closed, as she spoke an ancient incantation. The next time she looked toward the infant it was with a look of satisfaction: Lyn slept peacefully, her thumb between her lips, encased in a large, blue diamond.

Returning to her throne, Shokoti looked into the dark shadows cast by the statue high above her, and gestured towards them, as if she was trying to pluck something from their shallow depths…and her dark magic allowed her to do just that.

A dark shape arose: a man in form, wearing a long, ragged, charcoal colored cloak, and a terrifying, silver mask. This strange shadow-man Shokoti had created became increasingly solid, until it was as if he had never been otherwise. “You will be known as Masque,” she pronounced, and he looked up in response to the name.

Pointing to the encased baby she continued. “You will take this child into hiding, and you will not release her until I command you to.”

“As you command, Mistress,” Masque confirmed, his voice like a whisper in her ear.

“I have granted you great powers, Masque, and you shall use those powers to instruct the child in the dark arts as she grows older. Tell her that her true father abandoned her because he was a coward.”

“As you command, Mistress.”

“And when the time is right, you will allow her to cross paths with a warrior known as Keldor. I will take control of the situation from there. Is this understood?”

“Yes, Mistress.”

Shokoti created a vibrant, green dimensional gateway. “This will take you to a secure location. No one will be able to find you there. Now go!” Masque obediently scooped up the crystalline bundle before stepping through the portal.

Lady Shokoti, a telepathic summons echoed in her brain. The call must mean that a Council gathering had been ordered.

Yes, Mother Tetsudo? Shokoti replied.

The Council of Wisdom is in Zalesia battling Serpos. We need your help!

I thought the Council was united in its decision not to help Zalesia,Shokoti responded calmly.

The matter was reexamined at King Grayskull’s request, the terrapin-looking woman retorted, a slight edge to her voice.

Then I will be there as soon as I can. Shokoti severed the link between them, amazed that the fools had decided to help the man responsible for giving Hsss the power to unleash Serpos, but even more amazed that they had kowtowed to the government in such a manner.

Putting such thoughts aside, she teleported back to Zalesia, knowing that she must keep-up with appearances lest her ruses come to light. For this trip, however, she had no need of a disguise.

Chapter 3 - Part 7

Originally Posted by Angel-T

I am just loving this story Telkan2. Keep it coming.

Your wish is my command, Angel-T...

***

Amazingly, the heroes were actually winning! Zalesia was in ruins, with practically every single one of its citizens touched by the icy hand of Death. Even the Lord of Zalesia, who had been crushed by the falling remains of his chateau, was fading fast. The Council of Wisdom, though, had succeeded in turning Serpos’ attention on them, at least for the moment.

Ah, thought Shokoti before joining in the fray, I see He-Ro and Eldor have also arrived to lend a hand. How pathetically noble.

And then she saw a book in Eldor’s old hands, and for the first time in centuries she panicked. How had he found the Book of the Ancients? Was her summons a set-up of some kind, meant to lure her away from the safety of her pyramid?

And then Eldor used the book to summon a giant monster, equal in size to the serpent god, with which to attack. Shokoti took a deep breath, realizing that it was not the Book of the Ancients after all, but merely one of his other magical tomes.

She joined the others and they unleashed all of their great powers against Serpos, who had easily devoured Eldor’s creation.

“I found a transcript of the spell the Elders used to stop him the first time!” Eldor shouted over the din of battle, opening his book once more. “It’s time we send the beast god back to his prison!”

Serpos thrashed about as the heroes launched their counter-assault. As Eldor spoke, the reptilian monster was encompassed by a dazzling sphere of blue energy, which carried him all the way back to Snake Mountain. Coiled around the rigid stone once more, Serpos’ scales hardened, and he stopped moving; molten rock and ash spewed from its three horrific mouths again.

“We did it!” He-Ro shouted triumphantly. “Serpos has fallen!”

Light Hope clapped his friend on the back, “And I’ll bet Hsss is so upset he’s shedding his skin right now!”

The two young men shared a brief laugh before realizing that the others were staring scornfully at the fallen Lord of Zalesia. Shokoti was using her magic to hold his limp form in the air like a rag doll.

“He should not be allowed to escape sentence for the ruin he has brought to Eternia ‘lo these days. Thousands succumbed to Serpos first-hand, and hundreds more will likely die from exposure to the elements now that their homes and villages have been destroyed. Their blood is on his hands!”

Shokoti’s fellow Council members nodded in agreement, as did Eldor, and they turned to face the so-called traitor’s remains.

“Rise, Lord of Zalesia,” Shokoti commanded. “Rise, and see what remains of your domain. In your vain and arrogant pride, you have brought about the destruction of the very lands you were sworn to protect!

“For what you have done to Zalesia, death would not be too great a punishment.” She paused briefly, and her eyes narrowed before continuing, venom in her voice. “But for what you have done to countless lands across the face of Eternia…death is not punishment enough!”

The Council of Wisdom, joined by an angry Eldor, formed a circle around the dangling body. “We condemn you, Lord of Zalesia,” Shokoti pronounced, “to an eternal life devoid of the humanity that cursed you.”

He-Ro shielded his eyes, as the most intense streams of magic he had ever witnessed flew from the circle-makers into the fallen form. The body twitched and jerked, as the Lord of Zalesia was transformed. Filled with life once more, he released a blood-curdling scream before falling to the ground.

“What have you done to me?” he cried, holding his body tightly. His huddled shape emitted a strange, silvery glow.

Shokoti replied, “You will haunt these desolate ruins forever. A formless, powerless shadow…a shadow of the man you once were.”

He-Ro could not suppress his gasp, as the once chiseled face belonging to the Lord of Zalesia looked up in horror; that face was gone—any face at all was gone—it was just a silvery void, with slight shadows where his features had once been.

Slowly the transformed one arose, but where his feet had once been there was merely a spectral haze. “Please…”

“Your pleas fall on deaf ears, faceless one,” Phyroah said. “May you spend every day, until Eternia ceases to spin, seeing the faces of all those that perished as a result of your selfish actions.”

Without another word, the Council of Wisdom vanished. Only Eldor and He-Ro remained, staring at the ghost before them. Minutes later, even they abandoned him.

Chapter 4 - Part I

The warrior could not help being secretly relieved that the defenders of Eternia had stopped the three-headed monster once more. What would have happened if Serpos decided to head south-east, and crossed the Dunes of Doom? What would they do if it had reached the Well of Darkness, where Shokoti’s great army was now complete, and aching to be unleashed?

King Grayskull’s forces had also managed to stop the assault against Subternia, which Horüd was pleased about as well. After all, the attacks below ground were merely meant to split-up the heroes even more, and it had worked.

Hordak lounged in a nearby corner, toying with a ball of fire he had created. “It was mighty convenient for your master that the Snakes unleashed Serpos when they did.”

Horüd looked over at his brother suspiciously. “How so?”

Hordak waved away the ball of fire and continued. “You told me that she wants to soften the humans before we unveil our forces, and that’s why we’ve been launching these diversionary attacks.” Horüd said nothing, so Hordak elaborated, “What if the Snake Men are working with your boss, also?”

Horüd laughed. “Preposterous! My master has made it very clear to me in the past that the Snakes will be subjugated just like the rest of Eternia.”

“But what if the same promise was made to Hsss regarding our people?”

“Then you had better pray that such a promise is hollow, Hordak” Shokoti answered, appearing out of thin air. Though she wore the cloak and hood, she had not adopted the voice she used in front of those unfamiliar with her role in recent affairs.

“You are my brother’s master?” Hordak asked in awe, instantly recognizing the voice he had heard while spying (via Imp) on numerous Council proceedings.

“Yes. Now leave us, young one. Your brother and I have much to discuss.” From beneath her cloak Shokoti pulled out the Book of the Ancients.

Hordak eyed the scene curiously, before leaving the room and pulling the door closed behind him. As soon as he was out of sight, he jumped into the air and flew through the interlocking chambers of the mountain at great speed, arriving at his personal quarters mere seconds later.

Secure in his room, Hordak closed his eyes, and telepathically reached out to Imp, who had been hiding cleverly in Horüd’s chambers ever since the Spikean was banished from the Council.

In his mind’s eye, Hordak was able to see and hear everything that his familiar saw and heard. He could see Horüd clear space on a table for Shokoti to lay the book upon…

***

“It is time you learned some magic, Horüd” Shokoti stated matter-of-factly.

“Of course you can, fool, but the potential remains latent, locked away deep inside you. Besides, with my help you will be able to perform this one spell. It is extremely difficult, but in the months since I first laid hands on this book I’ve been practicing…

***

Hordak was extremely pleased with Imp’s hiding place, from which he had granted his master a better view of the Book of the Ancients. It was opened to a spell titled Soul Transference…

***

“What will it do?”

Shokoti closed the book. “You will see soon enough, Spikean. First, is my mighty army ready?”

“Yes, mistress. The Orcs are ready to suit-up in their new battle armor at a moment’s notice if need be.”

“And Horde Prime?”

At the construct’s title, Horüd's eyes lit-up like embers. “It is ready, Shokoti. Horde Prime is the greatest robotic weapon this planet will ever see: 300’ high, ion cannons embedded in its palms, deadly laser projects lay in wait behind secret compartments, rocket boosters at its feet, and two menacing heads certain to give nightmares to all who see them. And that’s just the beginning!”

Chapter 4 - Part 2

It took nearly every breath his lungs could muster, but Hordak reached the chamber that held Horde Prime seconds before his brother and his master. He tucked himself into one of the deep shadows caused by the enormous frame of the war-machine.

Above him it hummed softly, deceptive of its truly dangerous nature. Glowing, amber tinted eyes stared blankly across the chamber, while its starkly contrasted blood-red coating made the device appear even more ominous.

Horüd entered from a catwalk high above, followed by Shokoti. Strolling across the platform they stopped parallel to the enormous heads. “Isn’t it magnificent?” he asked proudly.

“Indeed it is, Horüd.” Shokoti reached out, but she was still too far away to actually touch it. She could hear its optical sensors as they tracked her movements. “Truly, your people can work magic with metal!”

At the word “magic” Shokoti’s hand shot-out behind her, grabbing Horüd by his thick neck. He squirmed, trying desperately to wriggle himself free of her surprisingly tight grip. The witch never pulled her eyes away from Horde Prime.

What is she doing? Hordak marveled.

Without warning, she leapt over the catwalk railing, Horüd still in her vise-like grip. Shokoti and her prisoner floated over to one of the heads. The sorceress looked back at the Spikean, as the gray skin beneath his fur started turning blue.

“I told you that you would be my general,” she whispered, bringing her other hand around to grip his right shoulder.

Hordak watched in disbelief as the events unfolded above him. Shokoti’s eyes glowed neon green as she began casting her spell. As she spoke tiny particles of something like ash began to rain down on Hordak…and a wave of nausea rolled over him as he suddenly realized that the flakes were not ash, but in reality they were parts of Horüd that were being burned away!

“Do not be afraid, Prelate” Shokoti said with a smile, as Horüd’s body continued to disintegrate in her very hands. Within seconds, the warrior’s body was completely gone! Yet, a strange, spectral-like image of Horüd remained in her grasp.

Hordak realized with a start what was happening! In his mind’s eye he flashed back to the spell that he had “seen” laying on the table: Shokoti was transferring his brother’s soul into…

Shokoti’s hovering mass swung around in the air, still holding onto the ghostly image of her so-called general. She flung the hazy form into Horde Prime’s massive frame, wherein it completely vanished.

The giant robot began to spasm, flailing its arms and feet wildly, while emitting strange, mechanical bleeps. Shokoti laughed with immoral delight!

Hordak was forced to lift himself into the air to avoid being crushed, bringing himself to the witch’s dangerous attention for the first time. She flicked her wrist, and he could feel himself being drawn closer to her. “Watch with me,” she hissed, “as the leader of my terrible Horde comes into his own!”

The Horde Prime robot, now possessed by the dread spirit of Horüd, finally stopped jerking about, and began moving with a little more control. A booming voice--Horüd’s, but with an inhuman, robotic inflection—erupted from the speakers in both heads. “What…what have you done to me?”

“I have done exactly what I promised to do: I made you my supreme general…my Horde Prime!”

The machine pointed at its chest. “This was not part of the bargain!”

“But it serves my purposes so much the better, Prime. You were weak before, capable of being struck down by a single sword. Now, you are nigh-invincible!”

He tried to process this. “And…and I will be able to return to my body when we have won?”

Despite the fact that his body had been reduced to ashes, Shokoti nodded. “Your original body is gone forever, but you will be able to transfer your soul into another humanoid shell, yes.”

After a long pause, the robotic voice of Horüd asked, “When do we strike, mistress?”

Chapter 4 - Part 3

“Your brother is a fool,” Shokoti stated matter-of-factly, as she led Hordak to the room that used to be his brother’s private chambers. The Book of the Ancients was still sitting on the table, open to the spell she had used to merge Horüd and the Horde Prime robot.

Hordak stared at her with curiosity and wariness. “Then why did you choose him to lead the Horde?”

“He will never truly lead my armies, Hordak.” She gestured at the open door and it closed silently. “He has always been too easily manipulated and eager to please. However, in the early stages of my great plan that’s exactly what I needed.

“He will serve his purpose,” she continued, turning the pages of the book purposefully. “Ultimately, though, he will probably fail and I will need to have a stronger leader prepared to step-up.” Her gray eyes fell squarely on Hordak.

“And how do I know you aren’t manipulating me the same way you did him?”

“You don’t.”

“Then why—”

“Because I can give you power, Hordak. You are a powerful wizard now, but I can make you into one of the darkest, most feared sorcerers this pitiful planet has ever seen!”

Hordak waited a while before saying, “If I am to trust you, then you must trust me with something.”

Shokoti smirked. “You are bold, young one.”

“What is the real purpose of the Horde?”

She regarded him for some time, considering whether to answer truthfully or not. Out of all her agents—even the crafty ones such as Hsss and Prahvus—none had ever questioned her motivation (her methods, perhaps, but never her motivation). They had all assumed her goal was simply domination.

Finally, she settled on telling him the truth. “The Horde will be the bedrock of my son Keldor’s empire.”

Hordak stared back through narrow red slits. “You have a son?”

“Not yet, but I will when the time is right. He is destined to rule Eternia, and I have worked for countless years designing the blueprints of that destiny.”

“I believe you,” Hordak said, and in truth he did. Nevertheless, like his brother before him, his thoughts were already on usurping that eventual power for himself.

“Good.” She turned one more page in the book, but this one was scribbled in a language that Hordak had never seen before. “In that case, if you are going to be second-in-command of the Horde—at least until your brother falls—then you are going to need a bit more power.”

Hordak stepped back, remembering how easily she had ripped out his brother’s soul. “I have plenty of power!”

“You are powerful in magic and cunning, yes, but at your current levels you are barely equal to that doddering old fool Eldor. I shall make you a challenge for even the great Queen Veena and the Council of Elders!”

Hordak was struck still—the witch had immobilized him! She began to chant the words on the page. (While the characters on the page had been strange to Hordak, the dialect was even stranger.)

An enchanted, red mist swirled in, completely surrounding the Spikean wizard. “What’s happening?” he yelled, trying not to inhale the potentially dangerous magic. When he finally took a breath, unable to hold out any longer, his narrow nostrils were filled with the smell of smoking fur. To his horror, he looked down as his gray coat burst into green flames! The flames vanished just as quickly as they had come, but his oily fur was completely gone now, and only the raw, dark gray skin beneath remained.

He wanted to scream, but was unable to do anything save collapse to the ground, spurred on by the most intensive head pains he had ever experienced. It was as if his skull was trying to break free of its fleshy casement. Hordak clutched his pounding head—finally unleashing the scream he had been holding back—as numerous spiked horns erupted along his crest.

He rocked back and forth in agony, trying to tuck himself into his red wings as he always did when afflicted by pain, but his wings would not move the way he wanted them to. He felt the leathery appendages stretch out, pulled by unseen hands, and then move towards each other. There was a fiery sensation along the edges, as if something hot was burning them…or, worse yet, fusing them together! Moments later, a lone, red appendage fell down upon him like a drape.

It seemed like he had been tormented for hours, but in truth everything had happened in the span of seconds. The red mist vanished, and through the water in his eyes Hordak could still see Shokoti. “Wh-what have you d-d-done to me?” he choked.

Chapter 5 - Part I

Chapter V

“It is time,” Shokoti’s astral form declared, hovering in the air across from King Hsss’ throne. “Those pathetic do-gooders have been sufficiently drained: first there was the loss of morale and feeling of security when Eldor and Light Hope were taken from the ‘impregnable’ Castle Grayskull. And then those wretched Spikeans followed it up with an attack on the Speleans and Caligars. Oh, and let us not forget the loss of Ve’Lyn.”

“And then Serpos’ all-too-brief reign of terror and destruction,” Hsss concluded, the snakes beneath his “skin” coiling with anger over the defeat of his god. “Many died during his return, and the heroes were spread too thin to stop it as quickly as they would have liked.”

“Quite right, Snake Man. They are tired, and their losses have been many. They will certainly not expect another attack from the Snake Men so soon.”

The Serpent King hissed. “But my own forces were depleted as well, thanks to the treachery of…what is it you call him now—the Faceless-s-s-s One? How do you expect us to overthrow Castle Eternia’s defens-s-ses?”

“They will be down before your people arrive; I will see to that. As for your forces being depleted, you have nothing to worry about. You will eventually be joined by an army the likes of which you have never seen!”

Before Hsss could say another word she was gone. “Rattlor!” he called. The brick hued reptile knelt before his master. “Prepare our forces-s-s. We march on Castle Eternia this eve!”

***

Eldor rushed through the throne room doors, bowing before the king and queen for only a moment. “Forgive the intrusion at this late hour, Majesties, but my son has just informed me that an emergency gathering of the Council of Wisdom has been called. He said there was great urgency in Lady Shokoti’s voice.”

King Grayskull turned to his wife. “Veena?”

The queen was already reaching across the planes of Eternia telepathically. “I feel great anticipation coming from Castle Eternia, but beyond that I can sense nothing out of the ordinary.”

Grayskull mulled over the news. “We have faced many dark hours lately. If the Council of Wisdom is holding their breath with anticipation then I would like to know why.” He turned to his advisor. “Eldor, I wish for you to join them at this session. Take my son with you for protection, just in case.”

“Yes, My Liege,” Eldor replied, bowing briefly once more on his way out. He closed the door behind him silently.

“I do not have a good feeling about this,” Veena stated matter-of-factly. “The more I ponder this, the greater is the sense of dread in my stomach.”

“Then I shall place the guards on standby, and we will be ready at a moment’s notice if need be.”

Chapter 5 - Part 2

Thanks for your feedback, Pig Boy! I hope you and the others reading this story are enjoying it, because the action's about to get started! Now onto the first long part of Chapter 5...

***

The moon had reached its zenith, the appointed time when Shokoti expected the Council to be fully gathered. It had been hours since her summons went out, so they should have all had time to return from their various homelands. One-by-one the last of them trickled in and took their seats.

Ready to begin, Shokoti moved towards the center of the chamber. “Council members, thank you for coming—”

The chamber doors opened once more, as Eldor and He-Ro entered the room. “Sorry we’re late,” He-Ro said casually. “We had some trouble getting through Dragon Valley.”

Shokoti curled her lip. “This is a private gathering.”

“Oops, I guess I left our invitations in my other cloak.” The two men from Castle Grayskull sat with the others, waiting for the woman to continue.

Very well, fools, Shokoti thought, you will die with the others since you are so determined to remain.

She turned to face her colleagues once more and continued. “Eternia has seen dark days recently, and there are more to come. Evil forces are massing, and soon they will march across this planet with one goal: Conquest!”

“We have suspected as much for some time, Lady Shokoti. Do you have new information?”

“Actually, Starchild, I have called you here to reveal the face behind these movements.”

Stunned silence filled the room. “But how…?” Eldor finally asked.

“Allow me to show you all something.” The witch waved her hands, and a magical cloud appeared above them. Upon its wispy surface images began to form. “What you are about to see took place almost thirty years ago…”

***

Shokoti traveled along a narrow city street. All around her, metallic buildings rose from the ground, and mechanical creatures of all shapes and sizes scurried about. She was on her way to visit the techno-wizard known as Sortech, when suddenly she heard a cry.

“Help me!” the voice pleaded.

She ducked down a nearby alleyway to see what the problem was, and watched as a group of robots callously ignored the man’s pleas and walked past him. “Who are you?” she asked him flatly.

“I am the Lord of Zalesia, and my transport has just been hijacked by a group of horned ruffians!”

Shokoti nodded. “In this city, they were probably the servants of Prahvus. He is a powerful warlord who has taken a recent interest in plundering machines and machine parts.” (What the witch did not reveal was that Prahvus was working under her orders, gathering the materials that would aide her other servants in building the Horde army!) “You are lucky to be alive, stranger.”

He ran a hand through his short hair, and looked nervously at the staff in his other hand. “I suppose I should be grateful they didn’t take the key,” he muttered to himself.

“The key? I don’t understand—how did they take your transport without having the key to it?”

The Lord of Zalesia quirked his eyebrow and chuckled. “Not that kind of key…I’m sorry, what is your name?”

“I am Lady Shokoti of the Council of Wisdom.”

“A pleasure, milady. As I was saying, it’s not that kind of key. I was referring to this”—he lifted his staff slightly—“my cosmic key.”

“I have never heard of such an instrument. What is a ‘cosmic key’?”

He beckoned her to sit beside him on an overturned crate nearby, before launching into an explanation. “When the universe was created eons ago, there was a tremendous explosion! Super-charged cosmic particles spread to all corners of the infant universe, eventually commingling with the more ordinary cosmic dust that had already begun to form the planets and such.

“Some objects, like rocks and trees and eventually even some lifeforms, were at least partially composed of the super-charged particles. Such amalgamated creations hold a special power, which allows them to open intergalactic—and, at times, even interdimensional—doorways to someplace that is home to corresponding objects.”

Shokoti stood-up and laughed. “That’s nonsense,” she said, as she turned to leave the man whom she took for crazy.

“Is it now?” he asked calmly, as he began casting a strange charm. Faint blue sparks began to shoot from his fingertips, and time itself seemed to slow around the pair. Everything was suddenly cast in a pale shade of blue, except for a small rock near the mouth of the alleyway, which, like man’s staff, shown with a vibrant pink hue. The Lord of Zalesia approached the glowing stone and picked it up. As he did so everything returned to normal, and he rejoined Shokoti’s side.

“What happened?” she asked.

“The spell I just cast illuminates anything nearby that is charged with the special cosmic dust I told you about. Fortunately, for our purposes, this tiny rock seems to be a cosmic key. You must be lucky, because it’s not just every day you find one of these laying around. Let’s see where it goes, shall we?”

He began chanting again, this time in a different tongue. The stone started to glow once more, the same vibrant pink, and the air around them began to bend and tear. A glowing aperture appeared, which the Lord of Zalesia stuck his head through for just a quick second. When he pulled it out again his head was drenched. He spit out a mouthful of water before saying, “Must be some sort of water-world.” He dropped the rock, and the portal vanished.

It took a lot to surprise Shokoti, but this had certainly done it. Her mind wheeled at the possibilities! Once her plans had come to fruition, and Eternia was hers, she would be able to move on to other worlds, and eventually the entire cosmos would bow before her!

“Teach me how to find these keys, and how to unlock their secrets…”

***

The magical cloud vanished, and Shokoti turned to face the Council members once more. They returned her gaze, but looked confused.

“What was the purpose of showing us that?” Mother Tetsudo asked. “It is true, most of us were not familiar with the notion of cosmic keys until you invited the Lord of Zalesia to join our group, but he showed us his own key—his aptly named Havoc Staff—and told us the same things we have just seen.”

“That is correct,” Shokoti elaborated, “and then he told us all the frightening history behind his staff.” The blue-skinned woman held aloft her hand, and the Havoc Staff appeared therein.

Upon seeing it the others released audible gasps. “Thank the Ancients you found the Havoc Staff before it could fall into evil hands,” Oldron proclaimed. “Where was it, the ruins of Zalesia?”

Shokoti lowered the Havoc Staff and shook her head. “Actually, I have had it since the day of the battle. I…convinced the Lord of Zalesia to hand it over.”

“How did you convince him to hand it over?” Eldor asked. “His ancestors were nearly destroyed when they inadvertently discovered the Havoc Staff’s secrets. It was all they could do to reseal the gateway before the inhabitants of Despondos ruined this world!”

“Eldor is correct,” Starchild added, “his family vowed to keep that staff under their protection until the end of time. Our fallen friend would never have turned it over willingly, even to a trusted friend, lest its power corrupt them.”

“What difference does any of that make now?” Light Hope asked. “For all intents and purposes he is dead, and his heir disappeared in the fires before she could learn of the importance of that ancestral vow. Is it not better that we keep the Havoc Staff locked away in Castle Eternia, where King Hsss and others like him cannot reach it?”

Shokoti grinned wickedly. “Hsss is the least of Eternia’s concerns,” she said, reasserting herself as the leader of the discussion. “As I told you earlier, I am about to reveal to you the true source of the evil sweeping across Eternia.”

“If you know then tell us!” He-Ro commanded, tired of all the talk about cosmic keys and the Havoc Staff.

“Very well,” she retorted, leveling the stave against him. A brilliant bolt of yellow magic flew from the horns of the tool, striking the young prince squarely in his chest, and sending him hurling into the wall behind him.

Chapter 5 - Part 3

Originally Posted by Ofty

I'm so in love with this story, as you know

Thanks, Ofty! I'm very excited that it's finally out there--you know how long it's been sitting in my hard-drive. I just can't wait to post your amazing piece of artwork...which, for those of you who are curious, will be coming soon! Now on to the next part...

“Indeed!” Shokoti raised her left hand, and the elderly terrapin-woman began to rise towards the chamber’s high ceiling. Moments later she came crashing back down to the marble floor, the curved shell on her back shattered beneath her.

“No!” Oldron cried, raising his hand to his mouth.

“Yes!” Shokoti retorted. She turned to face the cyborg named Mechanor, and with another gesture she sent the Councilman careering across the room like a bullet, bleeping wildly along the way. His silver dome pierced through Oldron, taking out both men instantly.

He-Ro was back on his feet, and had raised the Staff of the Ancients against his newly discovered foe. Green energy flew from the emerald atop it, enchanting the massive, golden gryphon statues on either side of the doorway. They sprang to life, leaping into the air despite their great weight, and swooped towards the evil sorceress.

She threw herself to the floor, narrowly avoiding certain doom. Just as quickly she was up again, blasting away at the beasts. The magical bolts ricocheted off of the gryphon statues wildly, and one of the bolts struck Starchild. The blast sent her tumbling down the steps of the dais headfirst. Anyone who looked at the angle her head was tilted at when she landed could tell that she would not get up again.

Phyroah released arcs of streaming magma in Shokoti’s direction, but she used her magic to redirect the molten substance. The volley that was meant for Shokoti shot upwards at the last moment, and split into two streams, which took out the flying statues tormenting her.

“You will pay for that, fireball,” the sorceress vowed. She pointed the Havoc Staff at Phyroah, but this time it was a blast of ice-cold water that sprang forth. The Fire Man let out a brief cry before evaporating into nothingness. Only his garments remained.

“That was all too easy,” Shokoti declared, turning to face the last of her opponents—Light Hope, Eldor, and He-Ro. In mere moments she had managed to wipe-out one of the greatest assemblages that had ever walked the planet. “I had mistakenly assumed the sentimental fools would put up more of a fight.”

“You will not find us so easily beaten, witch!” Light Hope cried, lifting his hands into the air. In a burst of rainbow-colored energy the three remaining heroes vanished from the chamber.

Shokoti chuckled. “Run while you can, fools. Soon, there will be no place on all of Eternia that is safe for you.”

Chapter 5 - Part 4

I'm thrilled that you're still enjoying it, Angel-T! For you and the other readers, here's the next bit...

***

The trio reappeared atop a small butte not far from Castle Eternia. They were in shock, and for a time none of them spoke. Eldor was the first to find his senses again. “He-Ro, you must alert the king and queen immediately.”

The prince nodded, and held aloft his staff. An image of King Grayskull and Queen Veena appeared in the emerald. “There’s been an attack,” he stated quickly. “The Council has been betrayed by Shokoti, and we’re the only ones left. She claims to be the one behind the recent uprisings.”

“Stay where you are,” Grayskull’s image ordered. “Your mother sensed the attacks on the Council as soon as they started, and we’re already on our way.”

As the king and queen’s visages disappeared, He-Ro sighed. “I suppose we wait now.”

Light Hope clenched his massive fists, displaying a type of anger never before seen by father or friend. “I refuse to stand by and wait! That witch has just destroyed my friends, and she has been deceiving the people of Eternia for too long already. I’m going to put a stop to her right now!”

“No, son!” Eldor begged. “You are clever, true, and you do possess magical skills, but I fear you are nowhere near on par with Shokoti!”

He-Ro reached out and grabbed the red-haired man’s shoulders. “Please, my friend, wait for reinforcements, and then we will all see to it that justice is served.”

Light Hope jerked away. “If the Council of Wisdom was as wise as we always claimed to be, then we would have seen this coming. By not stopping Shokoti earlier we have failed all of Eternia, and as the last surviving Councilman it is my duty to right that wrong before she does anything else…alone if need be.” Before Eldor or He-Ro could stop him, Light Hope vanished in another flash of rainbow-colored light.

“I’m going after him,” Eldor proclaimed, but He-Ro, suddenly wide-eyed, redirected the old man toward the east. Marching across the Sands of Time was the largest Snake Army either had ever seen.

***

The reinvented Hordak, clad now in onyx armor to hide his bare skin, stood at the forefront of the Horde army. Behind him, thousands of Orcs, dressed in matching silver armor, stood silently. The ground around them began to quake, and a large piece of land at the base of the Well of Darkness exploded from below.

The whine of a pneumatic lift filled the air as Horde Prime arose from his underground keep. The massive robot, possessed by the spirit of Horϋd, towered over the assemblage. “It is time!” Horde Prime declared, and the Orcs started to cheer enthusiastically.

Chapter Chapter 5 - Part 5

Shokoti stood atop the central tower of Castle Eternia. From this great vantage point she could see the massive Snake Army making its way towards the castle from the east. Consequently, she could also see what she assumed to be Grayskull’s forces making their way through the Evergreen Forest.

None of it mattered, though. Soon, she would use the Lord of Zalesia’s cosmic key to unleash the great beasts of the hellish dimension known as Despondos onto Eternia’s peaceful lands. Those beasts would ensure that the last of her opponents were taken care of if the Snakes and the Horde failed her.

Suddenly, an explosion of colorful light knocked the witch off her feet. “Even if I cannot destroy you myself, the poisonous drape between Despondos and our dimension will finish you!” Light Hope declared.

Shokoti regained her footing, and picked up the Havoc Staff once more. “Luckily, boy, I have the Book of the Ancients to help me part that veil.” Lightening sprang from her eyes, searing and ripping apart Light Hope’s legs until he could stand no more.

Wicked delight filled her laughter as Eldor’s son cried out in pain. He reached out to cradle his legs, but only raw strips of skin and ash remained. “You are the weakest, most pathetic Councilman I have yet to have the displeasure of knowing.”

As tears streamed down his reddened face, Light Hope gasped, “My father, and the forces of Grayskull will stop you, even if I fail! Eternia will never be yours!”

Shokoti knelt beside her prey. “I would enjoy finishing you, boy, but instead I think you need to be taught a lesson in respecting your elders.”

Light Hope spat at her, blood mixing with his saliva. Ignoring the spit oozing down her cheek, Shokoti reached into her belt and pulled out a gem. “The configuration of this little crystal’s numerous facets makes it the perfect prison for someone with your powers; your light-energy will simply be refracted!”

She pointed the crystal at the battered young man and it began to sparkle brightly. At the same time, Light Hope started to feel a tugging sensation, as if he was being dragged toward Shokoti’s intended prison. There was a brief flash of crimson light, and when it cleared she held the crystal up to her eye. Her enemy was trapped, no bigger than a fly, and just as she had expected, his powers did nothing more than create a beautiful light show within the crystal.

For the time being, she tucked the micro-prison back into her belt. The Snake Army was getting closer, but so were Grayskull’s men, which meant that it was time to open the doorway to Despondos!

Shokoti summoned the Book of the Ancients, which appeared in the air before her. It remained suspended there, opened to the spell that would allow her to circumvent the poisonous divide Light Hope had warned of moments before. She lifted the Havoc Staff toward the sky and began to chant. “Despondos, Despondos, Drooska Ma-Kar…Ear-Katos Vay-Doc Despondos, Despondos…Ma-Kar Despondos, Despondos! ”

The ram’s skull atop the staff was flushed with a pink glow, and a massive area of the sky began to bend and warp…

***

“No!” Eldor gasped, pointing toward the heavens. “She’s done it!”

***

“What is-s-s that?” General Rattlor asked his king. Even from the distance that still separated the Snake Army from Castle Eternia, the massive portal could be seen.

Veena, riding on the white steed behind her husband, called out, “Shokoti’s opening a dimensional doorway! I will go ahead and try to reseal it.” In a flash, she had transformed into a falcon and taken to the skies.

Just wanted to let you know I love this story. I would have never seen these events coming. And now they weave together and make so much sense. Man you should have been helping Val write the comic book...... hmmm maybe you were
N8

Chapter 5 - Part 6

Originally Posted by Kidnatedogg

Just wanted to let you know I love this story. I would have never seen these events coming. And now they weave together and make so much sense. Man you should have been helping Val write the comic book...... hmmm maybe you were
N8

Originally Posted by Angel-T

"EXCELLENT" (He said with his toung hanging out desperately waiting for more!)...

Originally Posted by monstarmaster

Hey Telkan...this is getting better and better...i d really like to see King Hiss grovel before Keldor (being the son of Shokoti)...this is indeed an excellent storyline...Keep it going.

Thank you, Kidnatedogg, that is an incredibly high compliment! I wish I had been a writer for the comic, but fortunately they already had more than enough amazing talent without me! Also, my humble thanks once more to Angel-T and Monstarmaster! Enjoy this next part...

***

While waiting for the inhabitants of Despondos to start trickling forth, Shokoti felt a tiny sting, and realized that it had come from her crystal. She brought out Light Hope’s tiny prison once more. “So, it appears I underestimated the effectiveness of this little trinket. I guess I’ll just have to rid myself of you another way. Enjoy Despondos!”

She hurled the gem into the air and used her magic to guide it through the gateway, but it barely squeaked by an enormous green monster that leaped from the portal. The creature crashed to the ground far below with a thud that rocked the very foundations of Castle Eternia.

The giant had long, oily black hair, and was covered in a film of green ooze. The beast roared loudly, looking upward toward the woman that had freed him, and rattled the mace in his massive hand.

Shokoti reached out with her mind, establishing a brief psychic link with the monster. “You are the one called Megator, enemy of Tytus!” she gleaned.

The green one bellowed its response.

“I have freed you from your ancient prison dimension, Megator. As payment you will destroy my enemies!” She pointed toward Grayskull’s army, which was so close now that she could make out the king himself. Pointing toward Hsss’ army, now at the castle’s gates, she added, “They will aide you.”

***

“Well, well, well…” King Hsss gloated. “It appears we have company!”

He-Ro and Eldor had positioned themselves between the cat-like threshold of Castle Eternia and the Snake Army. “You will go no further, reptiles.” He-Ro stated.

The giant began to swing his gargantuan mace, before bringing it to bear on the heroes. When the ensuing dust finally cleared, He-Ro and Eldor remained unscathed, protected by a magical green shield created by the prince’s staff.

“Finish them!” Hsss commanded.

***

Shokoti’s evil eyes widened with delight as a second creature began to emerge. Its long green tentacles stretched out of the portal, and a large yellow eye took stock of the situation from atop an outreached stalk.

It’s the Sleeping Beast! she realized. Incredibly, this was the very same creature that the Lord of Zalesia’s ancestors had nearly been destroyed by ages ago! “Sleeping Beast, I am—” but her words were cut short.

The monster lashed out, coiling one of its tentacles around the tower and trying to wrench it from its base. The witch fell to the floor, dropping both the Havoc Staff and the Book of the Ancients.

***

He-Ro blasted King Hsss with his staff, knocking the Snake King off of his feet. Hsss doffed his magical skin, revealing all five of his terrible, hungry heads. “You will pay for that, human!”

Nearby, Megator was preparing to attack with his mace once more. Before he could, though, another of the Sleeping Beast’s tentacles wrapped itself around the giant. Megator bellowed in terror as the Sleeping Beast drew the giant towards its gaping, razor sharp maw.

Moments later, the lower-half of Megator’s still-twitching torso crashed back down to Eternia.

Chapter 5 - Part 7

The central tower shook once more with the wrath of the Sleeping Beast. I must gain control of that beast, lest it destroy me, too! Shokoti struggled to her feet, using the staff as a crutch.

Fortunately for all parties involved, the Sleeping Beast was too large to completely fit through the doorway; but, that didn’t stop it from reaching for the Eternians. Shokoti channeled her strongest bolt of energy through the staff, striking the tentacle that wound itself around the tower. The Sleeping Beast cried out, releasing its grip for but a moment.

The sorceress was about to launch another assault, when suddenly a feathered mass began beating about her head, and scratching at her face. Shokoti lashed out, knocking her newest assailant to the ground.

Veena reverted to her human form. “Stand down, Shokoti, or I will destroy you!” The queen of Eternia held out her hand and a golden staff adorned with a falcon appeared.

Shokoti felt a rivulet of blood making its way down her left temple. “You do not stand a chance against my powers!” She swung the Havoc Staff, but Veena leapt into the air at the last second and countered with her own staff. “You’re fast, bird-lady, but not fast enough!” Lightening flew from Shokoti’s eyes, but her opponent merely held up her free hand and the energy ricocheted off her open palm.

The tower shook once more, and Veena used the distraction to go on the offensive. She lowered her head and charged straight toward the evil witch’s abdomen, crumpling her enemy and breaking two ribs with the force of her headdress.

As she fell, Shokoti’s hands shot out and ensnared a handful of white quills, which she ripped away from the queen’s wings.

***

The Snake Men known as Tung-Lashor and Snake Face had Eldor cornered, but the old wizard was not ready to give up quite yet. He waved his hands, and his entire body began to transform, until he had adopted the appearance of Tung-Lashor.

Eldor, taking advantage of the surprise caused by his trick, promptly engaged the real Tung-Lashor in a physical skirmish. It didn’t take long for a victor to be declared, as one Tung-Lashor held the other in his massive grip.

“Quickly, Snake Face,” he hissed, his long tongue darting out with each breath, “turn the warm-blood to stone!”

Gray-scaled Snake Face wasted no time in aiding his compatriot. His green headdress sprang to life, and long red snakes shot-forth from both of his blackened eye sockets. Seconds later, the captive Tung-Lashor had been turned to stone.

“Excellent! Now, let us go help the king!”

“Wait!” Snake Face responded, taken aback. “The real Tung-Lashor would know better than to think that the great King Hsss would need help from the likes of us!”

Eldor dropped his illusion, and laughed. “Oh, well. We did make a good team, though, don’t you think?” The older man ran off as the Snake Man hissed angrily.

King Grayskull’s forces were in plain view now, and soon they would be on top of the Snake Army. Already, a small group of Hsss’ warriors were moving to block the humans.

“Master!” General Rattlor’s hiss rose above the din. “We’re being attacked from—” The ground beneath the largest of the Snake Men fell away, taking him along with it. In fact, all around the Snake Army large holes were appearing and sucking the reptiles into the earth.

“Orc holes-s-s!” Hsss realized, detesting the swine-like urchins!

The Horde Orcs, clad in their menacing silver armor, began emerging from the dozens of fresh holes they had created from their underground catacomb of tunnels.

“I’ve never seen Orcs dressed like that!” He-Ro stated matter-of-factly.

Hsss glared at the prince hungrily with three of his heads, but the other heads were busy assessing the damage to his forces. Within seconds, half of his Snake Army had been sucked below the surface or were otherwise engaged in combat with the fierce little warriors, and Grayskull’s forces were drawing ever nearer.

“Another time, human!” Hsss vowed, reclaiming his magical human façade. “Snake Men,” he bellowed, “retreat!” The Snake King held aloft his staff and vanished in a cloud of wispy green smoke.

As the serpents fled, the Horde began turning their attention on King Grayskull’s men. Ignoring the diminutive warriors, Savage-Cat cut a swath through their forces as he carried the king toward He-Ro and Eldor.

Grayskull jumped down, and gathered the other two men into a brief embrace of relief. “Thank the Ancients you’re safe!”

“And thank the Ancients you’ve arrived!” He-Ro retorted. But then he pulled away, and pointed toward the distant sky. “What is that thing, a ship of some kind?”

Chapter 5 - Part 8

A very special thanks to my good friendOfty for the amazing artwork below! Thanks buddy!

And, as always, feedback is always more than welcomed and appreciated!

***

Held aloft by the rocket-boosters in its mechanical feet, Horde Prime was slicing through the air at incredible speed. Hordak clung tightly to his brother’s humongous red frame.

“The doorway to Despondos is open!” Hordak shouted over the rush of the wind. “Something’s trying to come through!”

Horde Prime’s optical sensors zoomed in. “Yes, but it appears Shokoti has her hands too full to control the creature.”

“What do you mean?”

***

“…I mean, Veena, look around you!”

The battered women were regrouping on opposite sides of the tower. Bluish-green bruises already covered most of their visible skin, and blood poured from various scrapes and cuts.

The queen of Eternia took her eyes away from Shokoti for just a brief moment, but that’s all it took to realize what the other woman was talking about: her husband’s forces had arrived, and the Snake Men had retreated, but a new threat was now upon them.

“Which of your minions are these, witch?”

Shokoti smiled devilishly. “You are looking at the Horde, eventual conquerors of your husband’s pitiful army! But the best of them—Horde Prime—has yet to arrive!”

Suddenly, the tower wall between them exploded, sending a shower of falling rock all around. One of the Sleeping Beast’s tentacles snaked through the breech, reaching for something to grasp. Shokoti conjured a dagger, which she plunged deep into the thick appendage, while Veena did the same with the razor-sharp end of her staff. The creature howled, pulling back its bloody limb.

Shokoti wasted no time in hurling her dagger at the queen, and it struck her in the leg. Veena cried out in agony as she pulled the metal piece from her flesh. Her leg gave way, and the winged warrior collapsed to the hard ground, blood pooling around her.

I’m finished, she thought briefly. As the queen readied herself for Shokoti’s final blow, she realized with a start that she had fallen onto the all-but-forgotten Book of the Ancients! Spurned on by this, Veena gathered as much of her strength as she could to knock her opponent’s feet out from under her with her torn wing.

When the blue-skinned woman fell she struck her head on the ground and lost consciousness briefly. Veena took the reprieve to locate the spell that was used to part the poisonous veil between the two dimensions. Finding it, she was able to undo the enchantment Shokoti had cast. Veena chanted the ancient words as quickly as she could. “Despondos, Despondos Ma-Kar…Despondos, Despondos Vay-Doc Ear-Katos…Ma-Kar Drooska, Despondos, Despondos! ”

There was a massive energy surge, which knocked the Eternian queen completely flat, and knocked the Book of the Ancients off of the tower completely.

***

Horde Prime landed, and all eyes below were now fixed on him. Hordak, remembering Shokoti’s prediction that his brother would fail, decided that it would be best to wait on the sidelines.

The Spikean reached around his back, and pulled at the stretchy red appendage where his wings used to be, just like Shokoti had instructed. With a satisfactory tingle, the thing that now resembled a cape began to separate into leathery wings. Capable of flight on his own again, Hordak took off.

Seconds later, he landed on a small ledge half-way up the central tower. From this vantage point he should be safe, and he also had the advantage of a good view of the fight. Suddenly, his large ears alerted him to the sound of something falling toward him. He looked up, and his eagle-like eyes spotted the Book of the Ancients coming his way!

Chapter 5 - Part 9

The gateway between Despondos and Eternia began to pulsate, and the Sleeping Beast recoiled into its terrible dimension.

Shokoti regained consciousness and staggered to her feet. “What have you done to the portal?” she screamed, fearing that Veena had found some way to close it. The witch scrambled for the Havoc Staff, and used it to reinforce the opening. With the parting spell reversed, though, Shokoti tapped directly into the poisonous barrier.

Nausea and light-headedness overcame her, and she dropped to her knees again. “No!” she gasped, realizing what had happened. “I will not allow it to end like this!”

Veena had pulled herself into an upright position by now. “You must sever the link now, Shokoti, or there is no hope for you!”

The dark witch nodded weakly, and raised the Havoc Staff…

***

Horde Prime’s two heads stared at the humans below. “When last we met, Grayskull, I was mortal like you. This time, you face a mechanical god!” A massive robotic hand smashed at the ground where the king stood, but he dove out of the way at the last moment.

“Who are you?”

“The one you let get away. You could have destroyed me in Rakash, but you chose to save your pathetic son instead.”

Two small holes in the ground opened behind He-Ro, and in a flash two Horde troopers had managed to knock the staff from the prince’s grip. Another trooper reached out from one of the holes and pulled the young man off his feet.

Before Grayskull or anyone else could lend a hand, Horde Prime had reached down and plucked He-Ro from the ground like a bug. He pulled the boy into the air, and then looked up toward the pulsating dimensional doorway.

Time slowed immeasurably for the king of Eternia. There was nothing he or his men could do as Horde Prime cast the beloved prince through the aperture like so much garbage.

“No! ” Grayskull screamed.

***

The gateway closed, and the ram’s head on the Havoc Staff ceased to glow. “This is only a temporary set-back,” Shokoti vowed, as she called on what little magic she had left to transport herself to the safety of her pyramid.

Veena made no effort to stop her. Dumbstruck, she had realized a split-second too late that her only son had been thrown through the opening just before it sealed fully. Tears began to well-up in her eyes, and her chest heaved.